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Bikes... Posted by PGAero [Email]  (#1143) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from PGAero) on Thu, 15 May 2014 11:38:59
In Reply to: Bicycle, AdamSAAB2kAero [Profile/Gallery]
, Wed, 14 May 2014 12:22:04
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I've purchased a few bikes in the past 15-20 years.
If I didn't have a mountain bike right now and was looking to buy one, I'd look into a 2-5 year old Santa Cruz Blur or something like it, because that bike suits the riding I do. It sounds like you are looking for a bike that serves a different purpose. I'd ride a few bikes and get a feel for what different amounts of money and different amounts of suspension feel like. IF you want a full suspension bike, I'd look into one that has a lock-out, or otherwise maintains efficiency for the times you're riding on pavement/smooth surfaces.
I wouldn't hesitate to drop $2K on a VERY decent bike right now, but everyone has a different idea of what constitutes "expensive" and "VERY decent." Just as with my cars, I'd look for a used bike that has depreciated somewhat.
My bike history...My first Klein was stolen, and I replaced it with a 3-4 year old used Klein. That was in 2002. (My wife rides that bike now).
I got into road riding in 2003/4, and bought a (new) 2002 Klein Quantum for about 40% off, since the 2003 bikes had gone to a different frame. That one set me back about $1300. I've covered thousands of miles on it, and it is still all original except for tires, brake pads and the chain. (Shimano 105 components).
I built (from parts both new and used) a full suspension bike in 2006, and I kinda broke the bank on that one. All in, it set me back about $2K, but I rode it a lot, and loved every minute of it. That one had XTR hubs, Mavic 717 wheels, XTR drive train, Formula disc brakes, Fox TALAS fork... I even put a pair of bee's knees on it and a cat's meow. Loved riding that bike. (Klein Palomino)
More recently, I tore the Palomino down, sold the frame, and put all the nice bits onto a 2007/8 Santa Cruz Blur XC frame. I'm loving that one too. That transition set me back about $5-600.
Over the past 20 years, my bike budget has been about $4500 (I sold a frame, I passed my bike on to my wife, etc.) $4500/20 years = $225 per year = less than $20 per month. That's less than any gym membership I've ever heard of. And I get to exercise, recreate, and sometimes commute. I could also sell my bike collection next week and recoup about $1500-$2000 of my investment. (Yes, there have been incidental costs, like tires, chains, fork seal kits, etc... but anyone who exercises or recreates has those costs to some extent or another.)
Am I a bike snob? Hmmm... I don't care one iota what other people think about my bike, my car, my whatever. But I know what I like, and I make a concerted effort to be intentional about what I ride/drive/eat or otherwise own. If that makes me a snob, then I am a bike snob. There's nothing special about my bikes, but they're special to me. I'd rather see someone out riding their bike and enjoying it than not riding it, no matter what kind of bike it is.
A lot of people would suggest that owning a Saab makes one a car snob. If that's their view, then that's fine.
~Peter
_______________________________________ Current: '03 9-5 Aero Wagon, 5spd, Polar/Black Past: '06 9-5 Combi, AT, Polar/Black '04 9-5 Aero Wagon, AT, Nocturne/Granite '03 9-5 Aero Wagon, AT, Steel/Charcoal '00 9-3 Viggen, 5D, Silver/Black '93 9000 Aero, 5MT, Cirrus/Black (Owned this one twice) '86 900 SPG, 5MT, Edwardian/Buffalo Grey
, Wed, 14 May 2014 12:22:04, Mon, 19 May 2014 16:27:29, Sat, 17 May 2014 16:16:20
, Fri, 16 May 2014 06:33:27, Sat, 17 May 2014 04:05:07, Sun, 18 May 2014 17:09:02, Mon, 19 May 2014 04:26:01, Fri, 16 May 2014 13:04:47, Thu, 15 May 2014 11:38:59 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 15 May 2014 12:26:38, Thu, 15 May 2014 13:07:18, Fri, 16 May 2014 04:38:25, Thu, 15 May 2014 20:41:38, Thu, 15 May 2014 11:27:51, Thu, 15 May 2014 12:31:47, Thu, 15 May 2014 12:40:12, Thu, 15 May 2014 12:43:28, Thu, 15 May 2014 11:30:44, Thu, 15 May 2014 06:43:37, Thu, 15 May 2014 09:01:00, Thu, 15 May 2014 11:42:37, Thu, 15 May 2014 20:55:56, Fri, 16 May 2014 08:01:49, Fri, 16 May 2014 07:55:15, Thu, 15 May 2014 13:03:06
, Mon, 19 May 2014 07:00:15, Thu, 15 May 2014 15:12:06, Wed, 14 May 2014 14:31:55, Wed, 14 May 2014 12:33:52
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